The Cheapest Auto Insurance Companies in Massachusetts in 2024

The average Massachusetts driver pays $140 per month for auto insurance, according to Compare.com data. But that doesn’t mean you’ll pay the same rate. In fact, you can save money in many ways, including by shopping around and comparing quotes from multiple companies. Travelers, for example, offers the cheapest state-minimum liability insurance in Massachusetts, with an average premium of $42 per month.

This guide highlights the cheapest auto insurance companies for all types of Massachusetts drivers and offers tips on how to save on your monthly bill.

Key Takeaways:

• Travelers offers the cheapest average monthly rates for Massachusetts drivers, at $80 per month.
• Massachusetts drivers pay an average of $96 per month for liability insurance and $184 for full coverage.
• The minimum car insurance requirement in Massachusetts is a 20/40/5 policy, plus PIP and uninsured motorist coverage.

In This Article:

• Average Price for Car Insurance in MA
• Cheapest MA Car Insurance Companies
• Best Massachusetts Insurers of 2024
• Average Massachusetts Rates by Age and Driving Record
• Massachusetts Auto Insurance Requirements
• How to Get Cheap Car Insurance in MA
• Frequently Asked Questions

How Much Is Car Insurance in Massachusetts?

Insurance costs vary depending on the type of policy you buy. A basic policy that simply meets the state’s minimum limits will be cheaper, but a full-coverage plan provides much more coverage — and it costs more because of it.

The table below shows how much Massachusetts drivers typically pay for a minimum-coverage policy vs. full coverage.

We found that full-coverage car insurance typically costs $184 per month in Massachusetts, while a policy with a minimum-coverage policy costs $96, on average. That said, the average annual cost of car insurance can also vary a lot depending on which specific company you buy a policy from. Let’s take a closer look at some of the state’s cheapest companies.

Massachusetts’ Cheapest Car Insurance Companies

Even though the average cost of car insurance in Massachusetts is $140 per month, you don’t necessarily have to pay that much — if you know where to look.

The table below shows the cheapest car insurance companies in Massachusetts, according to Compare.com data.

Travelers offers the cheapest rates, at an average cost of $80 per month. Still, it’s worth keeping in mind that although it’s the best deal for most people, that doesn’t necessarily mean that’ll be the case for you, depending on your situation.

The Best Massachusetts Insurance Companies of 2024

Much like your car, there’s no one-size-fits-all option when it comes to car insurance. The best insurance company for you depends on your specific driver profile and your unique needs.

Still, the three companies below are a great place to start. We chose the following companies based on a combination of average rates in Massachusetts, available discounts, customer ratings and reviews, and coverage options.

Best for budget-conscious Bay Staters: Travelers

• Average premium: $80 per month
• Compare.com Rating: 4.57 out of 5

Pros:

• AM Best financial strength rating of A++ (Superior)
• Discounts for EVs and hybrids
• Many other insurance products available

Cons:

• Occasionally glitchy mobile app
• Poor claims satisfaction
• Below-average customer satisfaction ratings

Travelers offers some of the cheapest car insurance rates for Massachusetts drivers, according to our research. It offers plenty of ways to save more, too, such as discounts for green vehicles that nearly 69,000 Massachusetts drivers may qualify for, according to data from the U.S. Department of Energy.

But you may have to sacrifice a bit when it comes to service quality, given the company’s poor customer satisfaction ratings.

Best for tech-friendly Mass. drivers: Safeco

• Average premium: $112 per month
• Compare.com Rating: 4.59 out of 5

Pros:

• Highly rated mobile app
• Good claims processing
• Well-reviewed telematics program

Cons:

• Harder to buy a policy
• Fewer coverage types available
• Mediocre customer satisfaction scores

Like many insurers, Safeco’s RightTrack mobile app gives you a discount in exchange for tracking your driving habits. But Safeco’s total discount is larger than most — up to 30% off at renewal.

That said, actually buying a policy can take a bit more work since you can only purchase a policy directly through an insurance agent.

Best for young Massachusetts drivers: Liberty Mutual

• Average premium: $147 per month
• Compare.com Rating: 4.62 out of 5

Pros:

• Many available discounts
• Rideshare coverage available
• Competitive rates

Cons:

• Poorly rated mobile app
• Middling customer service scores
• Suboptimal financial stability ratings

Liberty Mutual may not have the cheapest rates of any company on this list, but families with teens have more opportunities to bring the cost down through four different teen-discount types.

It’s not just young adults, either; Liberty Mutual offers more discounts for other drivers such as military members, homeowners, good drivers, and more.

Cheapest State-Minimum Car Insurance in Massachusetts: Travelers

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the amount of car insurance you buy also dictates how much you pay for it. Car insurance rates tend to be a lot lower if you’re only buying the minimum amount required by state law.

Let’s see how much a minimum-coverage policy costs in Massachusetts with different insurers.

Travelers offers the lowest liability insurance policy in Massachusetts, at $42 per month, on average, according to our data. But most financial experts recommend buying more coverage to ensure you’re fully protected, and lenders may even require you to buy additional coverage levels for your vehicle.

Let’s take a look at those costs next.

Cheapest Full-Coverage Car Insurance in Massachusetts: Travelers

“Full coverage” isn’t a specific insurance policy type, per se — it usually refers to adding extra comprehensive and collision insurance. You’ll pay higher rates, but you’ll gain protection for your car from damage in an accident or other catastrophe. After all, liability insurance only pays for damage you cause — not for damage you sustain.

The table below showcases the five cheapest Massachusetts insurers for a full-coverage policy, according to Compare.com data.

Travelers has the cheapest rates for full coverage in Massachusetts, charging an average of $80 per month, according to our analysis.

Under Massachusetts law, car insurance companies aren’t allowed to look at many rating factors that insurers in other states use when setting your rates, notably your age, gender, and credit history. That wipes out some of the differences between how much insurers charge people for car insurance, but the industry still has trends in place, which we’ll look at next.

Compare Massachusetts Auto Insurance Rates by Age

In Massachusetts, insurers can’t take your age into account when setting your rates. But they can use the number of years of experience you have as a driver, which has the same effect. Younger drivers typically have less experience and pay higher rates, while older drivers with lots of road miles under their belts pay less.

Here are the average rates for people in different age classes in Massachusetts, along with the company offering the most competitive rates:

Cheapest for Massachusetts teens: Safeco

Insurance companies technically can’t use a teenager’s age against them when setting their rates, but they can consider their inexperience as a driver. The average Massachusetts teen driver pays $327 per month for car insurance, according to our analysis — much more than older age groups.

Safeco currently offers the lowest average rates on car insurance for teen drivers, costing an average of $232 per month, according to Compare.com data.

Cheapest for Massachusetts seniors: Safeco

Massachusetts state law requires car insurance companies to offer a discount to senior drivers older than 65. That — plus a lengthy driving record — helps to lower costs even more for seniors.

We found that the average Massachusetts driver in their 60s pays $116 per month for coverage, and someone in their 70s pays $92, on average. Safeco offers the lowest rates for seniors, at around $90 per month, according to our data.

Compare Massachusetts Auto Insurance Rates by Driving Record

One of the most important bits of information that companies look at is your driving record. They want to know how good of a driver you are or whether you’ve gotten into trouble before. Past behavior predicts future behavior, after all.

You can see how much of an effect having a clean driving record vs. some dents and dings has on your rates in Massachusetts below:

Cheapest in Massachusetts after a ticket: Safeco

Having a speeding ticket on your record shows insurers that you’re a higher risk to insure, and you can expect your rates to bump up by an average of 27%, according to Compare.com data. If you’ve had one or more tickets, Safeco is likely your cheapest option in Massachusetts. It charges $156 per month, on average, for drivers with a recent speeding ticket, according to our research.

Cheapest in Massachusetts after an accident: Safeco

If you’ve caused an accident, you’re an even higher risk for insurers, and they’ll likely bump your rates up accordingly. In fact, you can expect a 34% increase, on average, after an at-fault accident, according to Compare.com data.

Safeco charges an average rate of $150 per month for Massachusetts drivers with an at-fault accident on their driving record — the cheapest rate of any insurer in the state.

Cheapest in Massachusetts after a DUI: Safeco

You can expect a 50% increase in your car insurance rates if law enforcement catches you driving under the influence, according to Compare.com data — and many companies will decline you outright for coverage.

High-risk drivers with a DUI may have the best luck with Safeco in Massachusetts, which charges an average of $165 per month for coverage, according to our data.

Massachusetts Auto Insurance Requirements

You’ll need to have the following coverage options to legally drive in Massachusetts:

• Bodily injury liability: $20,000 per person, $40,000 per accident
• Property damage liability: $5,000 per accident
• Personal injury protection (PIP): $8,000 per person, per accident
• Uninsured motorist protection (bodily injury): $20,000 per person, $40,000 per accident

Auto insurers will also file an electronic insurance verification (EIV) stamp that serves as proof of insurance with the state.

Finally, remember that these are minimum requirements. You may need additional coverage, higher coverage limits, or both to ensure you’re financially protected on the road.

“No-fault” auto insurance in Massachusetts

No-fault auto insurance — which is used in Massachusetts — means that each person’s insurance covers their own medical expenses and related costs, regardless of who’s at fault in an accident. This is typically handled through a specialty coverage called personal injury protection (PIP). The no-fault system aims to streamline claims and reduce the need for legal proceedings.

If you get into a car accident and need medical care, your car insurance will pay for it even if the other party is at fault. Just be sure to inform your medical team that no-fault insurance will cover your care, because not all medical professionals accept no-fault cases.

Personal injury protection coverage in MA

In Massachusetts, PIP provides medical coverage for injuries from a car accident, regardless of fault. It covers medical bills, up to 75% of lost wages, and other related costs, up to the policy limit of $8,000.

Personal injury protection ensures quick compensation and reduces the likelihood of a lawsuit by allowing everyone to receive benefits from their own insurance.

That said, anyone injured in the accident can pursue legal action against the at-fault driver if it meets any of the following thresholds:

• A single injury resulting in more than $2,000 in medical care
• Injuries resulting in permanent disfigurement, significant hearing or vision impairment, or bone fracture

Penalties for driving without auto insurance in Massachusetts

Driving without insurance in Massachusetts comes with fairly stiff penalties, including:

• Fines: $500 to $5,000
• Imprisonment: Up to one year
• License suspension: Up to 60 days

If authorities catch you driving without insurance again within six years, you’ll face fines, imprisonment, and a mandatory one-year license suspension.

Additionally, you’ll see an increase in your car insurance rates because you’ll have a driving infraction on your record and non-continuous coverage, indicating higher risk to insurers.

SR-22 auto insurance in Massachusetts

An SR-22 is a certificate of financial responsibility required in Massachusetts for high-risk drivers. You need one if you have one or more serious traffic violations on your record, such as a DUI, reckless driving, or driving without insurance. The SR-22 provides proof to the state that you have continuous insurance.

Your insurer will file your SR-22 with the Registry of Motor Vehicles. And since an SR-22 indicates higher risk, you’ll likely see higher car insurance rates if you need one.

But all isn’t lost. Some ways to save on SR-22 insurance include:

• Maintaining continuous insurance
• Comparing rates every six months
• Eliminating unnecessary coverage
• Downsizing your vehicle

How to Get Cheaper Car Insurance in Massachusetts

You can use several strategies to get more affordable car insurance. Here are the most effective ways to lower your costs in Massachusetts:

1. Improve your driving: Keep a clean record and review telematics options for an additional discount.
2. Bundle your insurance policies: Buying multiple insurance products from the same company typically comes with a large discount.
3. Increase deductibles: Raising your deductible can lower your premium, but be sure you can afford the out-of-pocket expenses if you make a claim.
4. Avoid filing small claims: Pay for minor damages out of pocket to avoid rate increases from filing claims.
5. Shop around: Compare quotes from multiple insurance companies to find the best rates.

Using these strategies (and combining them with other ways to save money on car insurance) can help you lower your premium now and keep it low in the future.

Massachusetts Auto Insurance FAQs

Insurance policy terms and laws can be confusing. Here are some quick answers to common questions in Massachusetts.

What’s the cheapest auto insurance company in Massachusetts?

Travelers is the cheapest auto insurance company in Massachusetts, according to Compare.com data. It charges the average Bay State driver just $80 per month.

How much is car insurance in Massachusetts?

The average Massachusetts driver pays $140 per month for coverage, according to our analysis. That breaks down to an average of $96 per month for liability and $184 for full coverage.

How much auto insurance coverage does Massachusetts require?

Because Massachusetts is a no-fault state, it requires a policy offering at least 20/40/5 in liability coverage, in addition to personal injury protection and uninsured motorist insurance.

How can you lower your car insurance bill in Massachusetts?

If you want to lower your bill, you can shop around with different insurers in Massachusetts, look for all applicable insurance policy discounts, purchase a vehicle with the latest safety features, choose a higher deductible option, and ask your work or other organizations if they offer any group insurance pools.

Data Methodology:

Data scientists at Compare.com analyzed more than 50 million real-time auto insurance quotes from more than 75 partner insurers in order to compile the rates and statistics seen in this article. Compare.com’s auto insurance data includes coverage analysis and details on drivers’ vehicles, driving records, insurance histories, and demographic information.

All the rates listed in this article have been collected from a combination of real Compare.com quotes and external insurance rate data gathered in collaboration with Quadrant Information Services. Compare.com uses these observations to provide readers with insights into how auto insurance companies determine their premiums.

Sources:

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5. J.D. Power, “Auto Insurance Customer Satisfaction Plummets as Rates Continue to Surge, J.D. Power Finds,” accessed July 10, 2024.
6. Department of Energy, “Maps and Data – Electric Vehicle Registrations by State,” accessed July 10, 2024.
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8. Center for the Study of Services, “How Are Auto Insurance Premiums Calculated?” accessed July 10, 2024.
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10. Insurance Information Institute, “What if I can’t find auto coverage?” accessed July 10, 2024.